Vietnamese Singer Phuong My Chi Wins Third in ‘Sing! Asia’

A Stellar Performance by Phuong My Chi in “Sing! Asia” Final

Singer Phuong My Chi has made a remarkable achievement by securing third place in the grand finale of “Sing! Asia,” a prestigious pan-Asian music competition. She finished just behind champion Miyuna from Japan and runner-up Zhou Feige from China, showcasing her talent on an international stage.

The finale, which aired on Sunday, brought together four finalists: Chi, Chinese singers Ke Lou and Zhou, and Miyuna. The episode was divided into two rounds—duets with guest artists followed by solo performances. Ke Lou was eliminated after the duet stage, while the top three moved on to the solo round. The winner was determined by votes from a panel of 21 judges.

In the duet round, Phuong My Chi delivered a bilingual performance of “Lac Troi,” a hit song by Vietnamese pop star Son Tung M-TP, alongside Chinese singer Isabella Huang. The performance featured a symphonic arrangement by the Vietnamese music group DTAP, adding emotional depth to the song. Their harmonious vocals and strong stage chemistry earned them the highest score of the round—202.8 points.

For her solo performance, Chi introduced an original song titled “Chopsticks,” co-written with DTAP for the show. Inspired by the Vietnamese proverb about unity symbolized by a bundle of chopsticks, the performance emphasized themes of solidarity, friendship, and connection across Asia. The piece incorporated traditional instruments such as the dan bau (one-string zither) and dan tranh (16-string zither), along with the symbolic sound of a breaking chopstick in the opening. Chi performed in English, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.

The visual spectacle was enhanced by the presence of 30 children dressed in traditional Asian costumes during the final moments of her performance, which received enthusiastic applause from the live audience.

Chi concluded the competition with a total score of 406.8 points, just 0.8 points behind second-place Zhou. Miyuna claimed the title with 411 points. After the show, Chi expressed her satisfaction, saying, “I gave it my all. Without ‘Sing! Asia,’ there would be no ‘Chopsticks.’ I’m truly satisfied with everything.”

Chinese pop star and judge Jane Zhang praised Chi’s performance, calling it both musically and visually captivating. “She invested great thought not just into the music, but the entire stage presentation,” Zhang said. “It was a bold move to perform such a complex song, and I’m so glad to have experienced it during the final.”

Throughout the nearly two-month-long competition, held aboard a cruise ship, Chi impressed judges and audiences with her fusion of Vietnamese cultural elements and modern music styles. She won multiple rounds and received acclaim from a star-studded panel that included Vietnamese singer Dan Truong, Zhang, and Taiwanese actor-singer Alec Su.

In addition to her powerful vocals, Chi delivered theatrical and creative performances that stood out. Highlights included a Vovinam martial arts-inspired performance in “Buon Trang,” a vibrant mashup of northern Vietnamese folk songs with traditional drumming and dance, and a rap-infused set in “Vu Tru Co Anh.”

Now 22, Chi rose to fame after finishing as runner-up in The Voice Kids Vietnam in 2013, where she captivated audiences with her performance of a song about rural Vietnam during flood season. Since then, she has remained active as a singer and actress, known for blending folk and pop influences in her music.